How To Melt Chocolate Perfectly Every Time!

02 Apr 2015 Leave a Comment

by Nikki in Fabulous Food Tags: , , , , , , ,

Hands up if you have tried to melt chocolate, and in a blink of an eye it has turned into a rough and grainy blob of uselessness?

You are not alone!

I have done it a few times, a damn expensive waste of the good stuff.

How to melt chocolate perfectly

 It only takes a tiny drop of moisture or burst of steam to instantly destroy chocolate!

After much practice these handy hints will ensure you get your chocolate smooth and glossy every time.

GOLDEN RULES FOR MELTING CHOCOLATE

* Always use a non-porous bowl. Metal, glass or ceramic is perfect. Plastic bowls will often have residues that remain on the surface that can ruin your chocolate quickly.

* Do not use a wooden spoon to mix the chocolate with. They can contain moisture or cooking residue as well.

* Always break up your chocolate into small pieces, it speeds up the process and reduces the risk of overheating.

* Do not use chocolate straight from the fridge, condensation will create enough moisture to make it seize.

MELTING CHOCOLATE ON THE STOVE

This is my preferred method of melting chocolate and it works for me every time.

Simply place a saucepan on the burner over a low heat with about 1 cm of water in it.

Ensure you use a bowl that is big enough to sit securely in the saucepan without touching the water and do not lift the bowl up off the saucepan until the chocolate is melted.

Stir continuously with a metal spoon until completely melted.

Turn off the burner and place the bowl on a board to protect your bench and allow to cool slightly, unless a recipe indicates you to do otherwise.

MELTING CHOCOLATE IN THE MICROWAVE

This method caused me the most grief, but a little fine-tuning and I have got it to work. As microwaves heat things so unevenly it is so important to do this in small bursts.

Use a glass or ceramic bowl and place the bowl and chocolate in the microwave.

Using 50% power, microwave the chocolate in 30 second bursts.

Stir really well after each 30 seconds with a metal spoon.

When the chocolate is almost completely melted, do not place it back in the microwave. Just keep stirring it and the last little bits will melt.

****

Here is some fun melted chocolate inspiration for you.

Enjoy a Hot Chocolate Bath.

Get some yummy Hot Chocolate drink inspiration to warm a chilly day.

Make a fabulous chocolate and caramel Lava Slice.

What is your favourite chocolate recipe?